First teacher in space to speak at Williamsville school

This past August Barbara Morgan became the first teacher astronaut in space. She was a mission specialist for the space shuttle STS-118 Endeavor's mission.

She will talk about her experiences from the past two decades with NASA from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Mill Middle School Auditorium, 505 Mill St., Williamsville.

The mission was 22 years after she was selected as Christa McAuliffe's backup in the Teacher in Space Project.

Morgan trained side by side with McAuliffe and witnessed the 1986 Challenger accident in which McAuliffe and her six fellow crew members died. In the months following the tragedy, Morgan went on the visits McAuliffe would have made, talking to children and teachers across the country.

She returned to teaching for 12 years but held on to her NASA ties, and in 1998 was offered the opportunity to become a full-fledged astronaut. The Educator Astronaut Project evolved from the Teacher in Space Program.

In 2002, Morgan became the first educator to become a mission specialist astronaut, and in 2007 became the first teacher in space.

The presentation will also include an alumni speaker - flight director, Matthew R. Abbott, a 1980 graduate of Williamsville South and a member of the Williamsville Wall of Fame. He also attended Mill Middle School.

Abbott was an important member of the STS-118 Endeavor mission this past August. Although he was not onboard the shuttle, he worked with the astronauts and the mission control team shouldering the responsibility for decisions made before and during the flight.

He has worked at NASA for more than two decades.

The presentation is free and open to the public. Following the speakers, a question and answer period will be held.